Impala Saracens Gazelles beat KCB Lions

It was KCB’s Darwin Mukidza who opened up the scores at the Impala Club with his penalty in the opening minutes of the clash but his team's lead would be cancelled out by a display of sheer agility from Impala's Paul Mutsami. The flanker caught Davis Chenge unawares on the wing, and was firing on all cylinders as he scored the first try of the match. Robin Kiplang’at converted successfully for a 7-3 lead.

Mukidza would be on spot once more, drilling over his second penalty to Impala’s lead to only one point. Impala pulled further ahead through when Kiplang’at split the posts after KCB were caught off-side by referee Constant Cap. Centre Seje Owade would be sent to the sin bin for dangerous tackle but would come back to break the KCB back-line and dive into the try box. Kiplang’at’ converted for a 17-6 Impala lead. Mukidza booted over a penalty for the visitors in the dying minutes of the first half but Impala held the lead after the first 40.

HT: Resolution Impala Saracens Gazelles 17-9 KCB Lions

KCB started the second half strongly when Peter Kilonzo went over at the corner flag but Mukidza’s boot failed to convert. Peter Gichure also registered his name on the scorer’s sheet for the visitors and while Mukidza failed to convert this one the Lions had managed to get one point ahead of the Gazelles.

It was expected that the visitors would maintain the lead but unconverted tries from winger Leon Adongo and a dust raising, fan pleasing try by Duncan Ekasi propelled the Sarries to a 27-19 lead. KCB winger Jacob Ojee scored in the dying minutes of the half but it was a case of too little too late as referee Constant Cap blew to end the match at 27-24 causing the Impala Club to erupt in celebration.

Impala’s win this weekend shakes up the top 3 in the Kenya Cup table standings. Homeboyz who have 59 points dethrone KCB at the top after their 36-26 win against Western Bulls. Kenya Harlequins settle for 2nd with 58 points after their 19-13 win over Kabras. KCB are third with 56 points after the 24-27 loss to Impala. Impala sit solid fourth with 51 points after the 27-24 win over KCB. Kabras sit fifth with 46 points and Nakuru dangle at 6th with 43 points.

It will be an interesting match to watch next weekend when the Sarries travel to Kakamega to face current league champions - Kabras Sugar. Impala will be seeking to avenge the 2015-16 Kenya Cup finals loss while Kabras will be seeking to solidify a comfortable league position.